Plastic combustion endangers the general public's well-being, experts caution.
In a concerning development, research estimates from Guatemala have revealed that open burning of plastic waste contributes significantly to the nation's total emissions, generating a heavy environmental toxic load [1]. This global issue was further highlighted in a study published in 2024, which estimated that around 30 million metric tons of plastic were burned in homes, streets, or dumpsites worldwide in 2020 [2].
The practice of open burning of plastic waste in developing countries poses significant threats to both human health and the environment. This article explores the key impacts on human health and the environment, shedding light on the urgent need for action.
## Impacts on Human Health
The burning of plastics releases harmful pollutants, such as dioxins, furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are known to cause respiratory diseases, especially in vulnerable groups like children and the elderly [3][4]. The smoke from burning plastics also contains carcinogens that can lead to cancers and cardiovascular diseases [1][2].
Moreover, the chemical additives in plastics can affect the endocrine, reproductive, and neurological systems, potentially leading to birth defects and other health issues [1][2]. Exposure to microplastics may increase the risk of respiratory, reproductive, and gastrointestinal harm, with potential links to lung and colon cancer [5].
## Environmental Impacts
Plastics left in open fields can leach harmful additives like phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA) into the soil, contaminating groundwater sources and posing a threat to clean water access [3]. The combustion of plastics releases a range of toxic gases, contributing to air pollution and exacerbating respiratory diseases [4].
Plastic waste can harm agricultural productivity and biodiversity by contaminating soil and water, affecting ecosystems, and potentially reducing crop yields [3]. In many developing countries, the lack of formal waste management systems forces communities to resort to open burning as a means of waste disposal, further complicating the issue.
The European Union ships around 50% of its plastic waste abroad, much of it heading to Turkey. Once plastic reaches less-developed nations, recycling rates are extremely low [6]. In Ghana, plastic waste is often burned to manage garbage, and at the household level, it is sometimes used in combination with traditional fuels as a fire starter [7].
Another common but poorly documented practice is dubbed "refuse-derived fuel" (RDF), where mixed plastics and other waste, known as "fluff," are fed into cement kilns and burned in a highly polluting energy strategy [8]. Around 2 billion people worldwide lack access to waste collection services, leaving them with no recourse to rid their communities of toxic-laden plastic waste [9].
Indoor air pollution from burning plastics leads to elevated risks of respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other life-threatening conditions [10]. In many Malawi communities and poorer nations worldwide, there is no waste collection or proper disposal, leading families to burn plastic waste in pits beside their homes [11].
In Indonesian communities, plastic is often burned along with other waste to create clouds of dense toxic smoke to ward off disease-transmitting mosquitoes [12]. A 2024 paper reported masses of imported plastic waste piling up in Minh Khai, Vietnam, supposedly a recycling hub. While a large portion of that plastic trash will eventually be disposed of somewhere in the local environment, some high-quality plastics are melted down into reusable pellets in small makeshift shops, releasing noxious fumes into the atmosphere and polluting surrounding neighbourhoods [13].
A study in Kenya found increased risk of respiratory issues among children living near waste incineration sites [14]. In Guatemala, 60% of households surveyed use plastic waste and plastics in household cooking stoves as fuel, primarily women and young girls [15]. Chicken egg sampling studies near an Indonesian plastic-burning tofu factory detected the second-highest levels of dioxin contamination recorded in Asia [16].
Experts warn that many communities are resorting to the burning of plastic waste in households as fuel, while burning by industry to make energy is also becoming common [17]. The upcoming UN global plastic treaty negotiations aim to address these issues, but the challenges remain significant [18]. Critics argue that papers on plastic waste often ignore the impact of "waste colonialism," the shipping of plastic waste from the Global North to the Global South [19].
In conclusion, the burning of plastic waste poses significant threats to human health and the environment. It is crucial that the upcoming UN plastics treaty summit addresses this critical issue, ensuring a sustainable and health-conscious approach to plastic waste management worldwide.
References: [1] Guatemalan Research Estimates, 2021 [2] 2024 Study on Global Plastic Burning, 2024 [3] Impact on Soil and Water Contamination, Various Sources [4] Air Pollution Impact, Various Sources [5] Microplastics Exposure Impact, Various Sources [6] EU Plastic Waste Export, Various Sources [7] Plastic Waste Burning in Ghana, Various Sources [8] Refuse-derived Fuel Practice, Various Sources [9] Lack of Waste Collection Services, Various Sources [10] Indoor Air Pollution Impact, Various Sources [11] Waste Disposal in Malawi Communities, Various Sources [12] Plastic Burning in Indonesian Communities, Various Sources [13] Plastic Waste in Minh Khai, Vietnam, 2024 Paper [14] Study in Kenya, Various Sources [15] Guatemalan Household Survey, Various Sources [16] Dioxin Contamination in Indonesian Eggs, Various Sources [17] Expert Warnings on Plastic Burning, Various Sources [18] Upcoming UN Plastics Treaty, Various Sources [19] Criticism of Waste Colonialism Impact, Various Sources
The burning of plastics, a common practice in many developing countries, not only contributes to air pollution and environmental degradation [1], but also poses significant threats to human health and wellness, exacerbating medical conditions such as respiratory diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases [2]. This practice is particularly harmful to vulnerable populations like children and the elderly [3][4]. Furthermore, the chemical additives in plastics can affect various health systems, potentially leading to birth defects and other health issues [1][2].
In terms of sustainability and the SDGs, the environmental toxic load generated by the open burning of plastic waste, as highlighted in the Guatemalan research estimates, contradicts the aims of reducing waste and promoting healthy lives and wellbeing [1]. This urgent issue, when considering the science behind plastic burning and its effects on health and the environment, emphasizes the need for effective waste management systems and policies that adhere to the principles of health and environmental science [4][5].
As the upcoming UN global plastic treaty negotiations aim to address these issues, it is crucial to incorporate the science-based evidence on the impacts of plastic burning and adopt strategies that ensure environmental sustainability and public health, ultimately paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable future [18].
